Psychological Practice with Children and Families

“One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someoneencourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own.”— John O’Donohue

Alfred Adler,was a psychologist who was an advocate of equality among people of all races including children. Adler promoted democratic, respectful & practical parenting.

Dr. Sanders provides guidance with making use of Adlerian parenting techniques to help parents improve their relationship with children at home. Adler’s non-punitive concepts of democratic and respectful parenting are remarkable aids to the important task of raising happy, disciplined and responsible children. This parenting model is particularly well-suited for mood and behaviorally dysregulated children. Children are unable to develop new behaviors outside of the family; all members benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and of the ways to support positive development in children. For the treatment of dysregulated children, Dr. Sanders works with parents and whole families.

Dysregulated children often feel that developing personal discipline is too hard. It takes courage for children to develop discipline. Encouragement is a necessary component. Encouragement means, in this case, promoting courage and belief that the child is able to learn to do new and hard things, even if those things appear to be simple tasks by parents.

Basic Adlerian Concepts
Children are social beings.
A child’s behavior is goal oriented.
A child’s primary goal is to belong and feel significant.
A misbehaving child is a discouraged child. Children have a basic desire to contribute. A child is equal in value to adults, but not equal in experience. Mistakes are opportunities to learn. The message of love is essential.

Children respond positively to positive parenting.

Dr. Sanders will be more than happy to explain these techniques as she promotes their use in families. With nurture, children can grow strong and tall in spirit.

Dr. Sanders works with children, adolescents and parents to develop encouraging and helpful parenting interactions in family settings, particularly for families with distressed or behaviorally challenged children.

Morning Bridge Center has a variety of spaces available for various family needs. For extended family sessions, the parlor of the Farmhouse, which is also the Retreat House, is utilized. In Vivo, which is interpreted as “in real life” situations can be designed including family art and music sessions, family psycho-drama, and pet therapy.

For an interesting article on the therapeutic qualities of drumming as music therapy, click on the following link: